Power distribution unit with modular charging ports

ABSTRACT

A surge protector for providing electricity to an electronic device. The surge protector including a housing defining a module slot and including a module connector positioned within the module slot and a module insertable into the module slot and including at least one connector port and a housing connector. The housing connector can be operably connectable to the module connector when the module is inserted into the module slot. The cable can be connected to the module and housing such that the module can be positioned at a location remote from the housing.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims the benefit of priority, under 35 U.S.C.Section 119(e), to Newell et al. U.S. Patent Application Ser. No.61/954,239, entitled “POWER DISTRIBUTION UNIT WITH MODULAR CHARGINGPORTS,” filed on Mar. 17, 2014, each of which is hereby incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This document pertains to power distribution devices capable ofdistributing power among a plurality of electronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Power Distribution Units (PDUs) are power supply devices that operablyconnect any number of electronic devices to an electrical outlet tosupply electricity for the electronic devices. A surge protector is atype of power distribution unit that typically has power conditioningcircuitry for voltage limiting that limits the amplitude of the suppliedelectricity to the electronic device from the wall outlet if anirregularity in the electricity supplied by the wall outlet, such as apower surge, is experienced. As irregularities in the suppliedelectricity can damage the connected electronic device(s), the powerconditioning circuitry prevents the irregular electricity from reachingthe electronic device(s) and causing damage.

Power distribution units often include multiple AC power sockets, eachconnectable to an AC power plug of an electronic device to operably linkthe electronic device to an electrical outlet. The plurality powersockets allow multiple electronic devices to be connected to a walloutlet via an integrated surge protector, such that the electronicdevices are all protected from irregularities in the suppliedelectricity. The plurality of power sockets also provides the additionalbenefit of allowing multiple electronic devices to be connected to asingle power outlet, which often include only one or two power sockets.While the multiple power sockets advantageously allow multipleelectronic devices to be connected to a single surge protector, the sizeof the surge protector is substantially increased to provide sufficientspace for the power sockets. In particular, certain surge protectors aresized to receive the large transformers integrated into power plugs ofcertain electronic devices without blocking adjacent power sockets. Therelatively large size of surge protectors having multiple power socketsoften causes the surge protector to be placed on the ground adjacent theelectrical outlet to conceal the large protector for aesthetic orpractical reasons. In addition, the power plugs and the correspondingpower cords of the electronic devices connected to the surge protectorscan have unpleasing aesthetic appearance also causing the surgeprotector to be placed on the ground or behind a furniture item toconceal the unpleasant aesthetic appearance.

Certain surge protectors includes serial connectors, telephoneconnectors and/or USB connectors for connecting electronic devices thatare linked to power supplies through connectors other than power plugs.These electronic connectors are often dual purpose connectors capable oftransmitting information as well as electricity to the device.Electronic devices having these alternative connectors, such as USBdevices, are often frequently disconnected from the correspondingconnector and reconnected or connected to different connectors in theordinary use of the electronic device. However, as surge protectors aretypically placed on the ground and/or concealed behind a furniture itemdue to the size and the aesthetic appearance of the connected powerplugs and cords, reaching the surge protector to disconnect or reconnectthe connector to the surge protector can be tedious and difficult.

OVERVIEW

The present inventor has recognized, among other things, that a problemto be solved can include the tradeoff between providing sufficient poweroutlets in a single surge protector for multiple electronic devices andpositioning the often bulky surge protector for convenient access to thepower outlets. In an example, the present subject matter can provide asolution to this problem, such as by providing a module that can have aconnector port and can be removed from the housing of the surgeprotector such that the module can be positioned remotely from thehousing for convenient access to the connector port. A power plug thatcan be connected to a wall outlet can also be operably connected topower distribution circuitry positioned within the housing to supplyelectricity to the housing from a wall outlet. The module can betethered to the housing by a removable cable or include an independentpower source to supply electricity to electronic devices attached to theconnector port.

In an example, the surge protector can include at least one module and ahousing defining a module slot for receiving the module. The module caninclude at least one connector port such, as a USB port, for connectingan electronic device to the module. In certain examples, the surgeprotector can include at least one fixed power socket positioned on thehousing. The module can include a housing connector for interfacing witha module connector positioned in the housing slot when the module ispositioned within module slot. In this configuration, the module canoperate in the same manner as the fixed power sockets of the housing.The module can be removed from the slot and positioned at a locationremote from the housing such as on desk or other more accessiblelocations. The module can have be smaller and less obtrusive or moreaesthetically appealing appearance than the larger housing. The modulecan be tethered to the housing by a removable cable or include anindependent power source to supply electricity to electronic devicesattached to the connector port. In this configuration, the module caneffectively operate as a remote and more easily accessible connector towhich electronic devices can be connected. Similarly, the housing andthe fixed power outlets can function as a conventional surge protectorproviding a plurality of power outlets for electronic devices that donot require convenient access to the power outlets.

In an example, the module can include a secondary housing connector towhich the cable can be connected to link the module to the moduleconnector of the housing. In another example, the housing can similarlyinclude a secondary module connector in which the connector extendsbetween the secondary housing connector and the secondary moduleconnector.

In an example, each module can include a keyed protrusion thatinterfaces with a corresponding keyed slot positioned within the moduleslot. The keyed protrusion can prevent a module from being inserted intothe wrong module slot.

This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter ofthe present patent application. It is not intended to provide anexclusive or exhaustive explanation of the subject matter. The detaileddescription is included to provide further information about the presentpatent application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numeralsmay describe similar components in different views. Like numerals havingdifferent letter suffixes may represent different instances of similarcomponents. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, butnot by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the presentdocument.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a surge protector having a housing forreceiving a removable module according to an example in which the moduleis attached to the housing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a surge protector having a housing forreceiving a removable module according to an example in which the moduleis detached from the housing.

FIG. 3A is a schematic view of a surge protector according to anexample.

FIG. 3B is a schematic view of a surge protector according to anexample.

FIG. 3C is a schematic view of a surge protector according to anexample.

FIG. 3D is a schematic view of a surge protector according to anexample.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a module slot of a surge protector for receivinga removable module according to an example.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a removable module according toan example.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a removable module having a linkageconnected to the removable module.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a surge protector having a housing forreceiving a removable module according to an example in which the moduleis detached from the housing and operably connected to the housing by alinkage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As depicted in FIGS. 1-3, a power distribution unit 10, according to anexample, includes a housing 12 and at least one module 14. The housing12 defines at least one module slot 16 for receiving the module 14 tooperably engage the module 14 to the housing 12. Each module 14 isremovable from the module slot 16 to position the module 14 at aposition remote from the housing 12. Each module 14 includes at leastone connector port 18 that can operably engage a corresponding connectorplug for an electronic device such that electricity can be supplied tothe electronic device through the connector port 18. The connector port18 can comprise, but is not limited to a standard Type-A USB connectorport, a micro USB connector port, a mini USB connector port, a FIREWIREconnector port, LIGHTNING connector port, an APPLE 30-pin connectorport, miniature phone jack or other standard connectors capable oftransferring electricity to a corresponding connector plug inserted intothe connector port 18. In this configuration, the module 14 can operateas a power outlet remote from the main housing 12 of the powerdistribution unit 10 providing a more conveniently placed and lowerprofile power outlet.

As depicted in FIGS. 3A-3D, the power distribution unit 10 includes awall plug 20 that can be operably engaged to an electrical socket of awall outlet to draw electricity from the wall outlet. In an example, thewall plug 20 can comprise an electrical plug configured for interfacingwith a standard electrical socket. The wall plug 20 is linked to powerdistribution circuitry positioned within the housing 12. The powerdistribution circuitry is configured to transfer at least portion of theelectricity drawn from the wall outlet to the connector port 18 of themodule 14. In at least one example, the power distribution unit 10 caninclude at least one electrical socket 22 mounted to the housing 12. Inthis configuration, as depicted, each electrical socket 22 comprises astandard electrical socket for interfacing with a standard electricalplug. In this configuration, the distribution circuitry is configured todistribute a portion of the electricity drawn from the wall outletbetween the connector port 18 and each electrical socket 22 to supplyelectricity to electronic devices connected thereto.

As depicted in FIGS. 3A to 3D, in an example, the power distributionunit 10 includes power conditioning circuitry for altering theelectricity received from the power distribution circuitry. The powerconditioning circuitry can include, but are not limited to, converter,surge protection, noise filtration, voltage regulation, power isolationand combinations thereof. In an example, power conditioning circuitryhaving surge protection configured to limit the amplitude of thesupplied electricity or cutoff the connector port 18 and/or eachelectrical socket 22 if irregular current is detected in the electricitysupplied from the wall outlet. The power conditioning circuitry preventsthe irregular current from damaging any electronic device connected tothe connector port 18 or an electrical socket 22. In an example, powerconditioning circuitry having converter circuitry converts the suppliedAC current to DC current that is compatible with the electronic device.In certain examples, the power conditioning circuitry for the electricalsockets provide surge protection for the electrical sockets, but doesnot convert the current from AC current to DC current as depicted inFIGS. 3A to 3D.

As depicted in FIG. 3A, in an example, the power distribution circuitryand power conditioning circuitry are positioned within the housing 12.In this configuration, the electricity reaching the module 14 hasalready been conditioned and converted to DC current.

As depicted in FIG. 3B, in an example, the power distribution circuitryis positioned within the housing 12 and the power conditioning circuitryfor the module 14 is positioned within the module 14. In thisconfiguration, the electricity diverted to the module 14 by the powerdistribution circuitry is converted and conditioned at the module 14.

As depicted in FIGS. 3C-3D, in an example, the module 14 includes apower source 38 for supplying electricity to an electronic deviceconnected to the connector port 18. In this configuration, the powersource 38 is adapted to provide electricity to the electronic device ifthe connection between the module 14 and the housing 12 is interrupted.As depicted in FIG. 3C, in an example, the power conditioning circuitrycan be positioned at the module 14 to convert the electricity andprovide surge protection to the connector port 18 and the power source38 at the module 14. As depicted in FIG. 3D, in an example, the powerconditioning circuitry can be positioned at the housing 12 to convertthe electricity and provide surge protection to the connector port 18and the power source 38 at the housing 12 before providing the convertedelectricity to the module 14. In an example, the power source 38includes a rechargeable battery that can be charged when the module 14is operably connected to the power distribution circuitry and the wallplug 20 is connected to a wall outlet. In certain examples, the module14 includes bypass circuitry that directly transmits electricity to theconnector 18 from the housing 12 when the wall plug 20 is connected tothe wall outlet and the power source 38 is fully charged.

In an example, the module 14 includes at least one visual indicatorcomprising, but not limited to, lighting and audio alarms for indicatingwhen the module 14 is connected to the housing 12 either directly or viacable 28. In other examples, the indicator can signal when the connector18 is being powered with electricity supplied by the power source 38 orthe wall outlet. In yet other examples, the indicator can signal whenthe power source 38 is connected to the wall outlet and being charged.

As depicted in FIGS. 4-7, the module 14 includes a housing connector 24and the housing 12 includes a corresponding module connector 26. Themodule connector 26 is positioned within the module slot 16 such thatthe housing connector 24 engages the module connector 26 when the module14 is inserted into the module slot 16. As depicted, the housingconnector 24 comprises a USB plug and the module connector 26 comprisesa USB receptacle. In other examples, the housing connector 24 and themodule connector 26 can include various conventional electricalconnector plug and port pairs including, but not limited to USB, microUSB, mini USB, FIREWIRE, LIGHTNING, APPLE 30-pin or miniature phone jackconnector systems.

As depicted in FIGS. 4-7, the power distribution unit 10 includes acable 28 having a first cable connector 30 and a second cable connector32. In an example, the first cable connector 30 is configured to connectto the housing connector 24. In this configuration, the second cableconnector 32 is configured to connect to the module connector 26 tooperably connect the module 14 to the power distribution circuitry.

As depicted in FIG. 5, in certain examples, module 14 can also include asecondary housing connector 34. In this configuration, the first cableconnector 30 is configured to connect to the secondary housing connector34 to operably connect the module 14 to the power distributioncircuitry. Similarly, in certain examples, the power housing 12 caninclude a secondary module connector 36. In this configuration, thesecond cable connector 32 is configured to connect to the secondarymodule connector 26 to operably connect the module 14 to the powerdistribution circuitry. As depicted, the secondary housing connector 34and the secondary module connector 36 comprise micro USB connectors. Incertain examples, the secondary module connector 36 comprises a microUSB port. In other examples, the housing connector 24 and the moduleconnector 26 can include various conventional electrical connector plugand port pairs including, but not limited to USB, micro USB, mini USB,FIREWIRE, LIGHTNING, APPLE 30-pin or miniature phone jack connectorsystems.

In certain examples, one of the first or second cable connectors 30, 32can be connected to one of the primary connectors 24, 26 and the othercable connector 30, 32 can be connected to one of the secondaryconnectors 34, 36. In at least one example, secondary module connector36 is a micro USB port and the first cable connector 30 is a type-A USBplug for interfacing with module connector 24.

As depicted in FIGS. 1-2 and 7, in an example, the housing 12 caninclude at least one visual indicator 40 comprising, but not limited to,lighting and audio alarms for indicating when the module 14 is connectedto the housing 12 either directly or via cable 28. In other examples,the indicator 40 can signal when the connector 18 is being powered withelectricity supplied by the power source 38 or the wall outlet. In yetother examples, the indicator 40 can signal when the power source 38 isconnected to the wall outlet and being charged.

As depicted in FIGS. 2 and 5-7, in an example, the module 14 can includea keyed protrusion 42 proximate the housing connector 24. In thisconfiguration, the module slot 16 includes a keyed slot 44 correspondingto the shape of the keyed protrusion 42. In this configuration, thepower distribution unit 10 can comprise a plurality of modules 14, thehousing 12 defining a plurality of module slots 16 each corresponding toone of the plurality of modules 14. Each keyed protrusion 42 cancomprise a unique shape mating the shape of the keyed slot 44 preventinginsertion of the module 14 into the wrong module slot 16.

In certain examples, the housing 12 can include releasable lockingfeatures that can be positioned within the module slot 16. The lockingfeatures are configured to releasably engage the module 14 when insertedinto the module slot 16 to prevent the module 14 from beinginadvertently removed from the housing. The locking features caninclude, but are not limited to a detent assembly, a biasing armassembly, a flexible hook assembly and other conventional arrangementsfor releasably engaging the module 14 within the module slot 16.

In an example, a method for providing a connector 18 for a powerdistribution unit 10 to which an electronic device can be connected,comprises providing a surge protector having a housing 12, at least onemodule 14 and a wall plug 20, wherein the housing 12 defines a housingslot 16 for receiving the module 14. The method further includingoperably connecting the wall plug 20 to power distribution circuitrypositioned within the housing 12. The method also includes providing acable 28 for operably connecting the module 14 to the power distributioncircuitry within the housing 12 when the module 14 is removed from thehousing slot 16 and positioned at a location remote from the housing 12.

Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can becombined in any permutation or combination with any one or more of theother examples.

The above detailed description includes references to the accompanyingdrawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawingsshow, by way of illustration, specific embodiments according to thisdisclosure. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.”Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown ordescribed. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples inwhich only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, thepresent inventors also contemplate examples using any combination orpermutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspectsthereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or moreaspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) shown or described herein.

In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and anydocuments so incorporated by reference, the usage in this documentcontrols.

In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patentdocuments, to include one or more than one, independent of any otherinstances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In thisdocument, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that“A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unlessotherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “inwhich” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms“comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms“including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device,article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements inaddition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemedto fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the followingclaims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merelyas labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements ontheir objects.

The above description is intended to be illustrative, and notrestrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or moreaspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. Otherembodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the artupon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to complywith 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain thenature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with theunderstanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scopeor meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description,various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure.This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosedfeature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter maylie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment.Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the DetailedDescription as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on itsown as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that suchembodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations orpermutations. The scope of this disclosure should be determined withreference to the appended claims, along with the full scope ofequivalents to which such claims are entitled.

What is claimed is:
 1. A power distribution unit for providingelectricity to an electronic device, comprising: a housing defining amodule slot and including a module connector positioned within themodule slot; a module receivable within the module slot and including atleast one connector port and a housing connector, the housing connectoroperably connectable to the module connector when the module is insertedinto the module slot; and a cable operably connectable to the module andhousing such that the module is positionable at a location remote fromthe housing.
 2. The power distribution unit of claim 1, furthercomprising: a power plug operably connectable to an electrical socket ofan electrical outlet to draw electricity from the wall outlet, the powerplug being operably connected to power distribution circuitry positionedwithin the housing to supply electricity from the wall outlet to thepower distribution circuitry.
 3. The power distribution unit of claim 2,further comprising: a power conditioning circuitry configured tooperably disconnect the connector port from the wall plug when anirregularity is detected in the electricity drawn from the wall outlet.4. The power distribution unit of claim 2, further comprising: at leastone electrical socket operably linked to the power distributioncircuitry; wherein the power conditioning circuitry is configured tooperably disconnect the power plug from the each protected electricalsocket to interrupt the supply of electricity to the protectedelectrical socket from the power plug when an irregularity is detectedin the electricity supply.
 5. The power distribution unit of claim 1,wherein the connector port comprises a USB port.
 6. The powerdistribution unit of claim 1, wherein the housing includes a lockingassembly positioned within the module slot and releasably engagable tothe module to retain the module within the module slot.
 7. The powerdistribution unit of claim 6, wherein the locking assembly is selected agroup consisting of a detent assembly, snap-in assembly or friction fitfor retaining the module within the module slot.
 8. The powerdistribution unit of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of moduleseach including at least one connector port; wherein the housing definesa plurality of module slots each corresponding to one of the pluralityof modules.
 9. The power distribution unit of claim 8, wherein eachmodule slot is keyed to correspond to a corresponding module of theplurality of modules.
 10. A system for providing electricity to aplurality of electronic devices, comprising: a housing defining a moduleslot and including a module connector positioned within the module slot;a plurality of electrical sockets; a module receivable within the moduleslot and including at least one connector port and a housing connector,the housing connector operably connectable to the module connector whenthe module is inserted into the module slot; and a cable operablyconnectable to the module and housing such that the module ispositionable at a location remote from the housing.
 11. The system ofclaim 10, further comprising: a power plug operably connectable to anelectrical socket of an electrical outlet to draw electricity from thewall outlet, the power plug being operably connected to powerdistribution circuitry positioned within the housing to supplyelectricity from the wall outlet to the power distribution circuitry.12. The system of claim 11, further comprising: a power conditioningcircuitry configured to operably disconnect the connector port from thewall plug when an irregularity is detected in the electricity drawn fromthe wall outlet.
 13. The system of claim 11, further comprising: whereinthe power conditioning circuitry is configured to operably disconnectthe power plug from the each protected electrical socket to interruptthe supply of electricity to the protected electrical socket from thepower plug when an irregularity is detected in the electricity supply.14. The system of claim 10, wherein the connector port comprises a USBport.
 15. The system of claim 10, wherein the housing includes a lockingassembly positioned within the module slot and releasably engagable tothe module to retain the module within the module slot.
 16. The systemclaim 15, wherein the locking assembly is selected a group consisting ofa detent assembly, snap-in assembly or friction fit for retaining themodule within the module slot.
 17. The system of claim 10, furthercomprising: a plurality of modules each including at least one connectorport; wherein the housing defines a plurality of module slots eachcorresponding to one of the plurality of modules.
 18. The system ofclaim 9, wherein each module slot is keyed to correspond to acorresponding module of the plurality of modules.
 19. A system forproviding electricity to an electronic device, comprising: a housingdefining a module slot and including a module connector positionedwithin the module slot; and a module receivable within the module slotand including at least one connector port and a housing connector, thehousing connector operably connectable to the module connector when themodule is inserted into the module slot.
 20. The system of claim 19,further comprising a cable operably connectable to the module andhousing such that the module is positionable at a location remote fromthe housing.